SYLVANIA, Ohio – Linn Grant missed the chance to become the second LPGA Tour player to break the 60 mark. It was a great comfort to be preparing for a breakthrough win at the Dana Open on a long, rainy Saturday at Highland Meadows.
Grant played nine-under on her first 13 holes and played the final five for an even par of 9-under 62. Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam is the only LPGA Tour player to have shot 59 and complete the feat in the 2001 Standard Register Ping on par 72 made Mondtal in Phoenix.
“There was one viewer who yelled it in my face,” Grant said when asked if she was considering a 59. “He just came up to me and said, ‘Do you think you have a 59 in you?’ And then.” I suddenly thought, ‘Oh God.’ So I just tried not to focus on it at all.”
With two shots to go, Grant had an 18-under 195 record, taking a six-shot lead over US Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz (68), Stephanie Kyriacou (65), Maria Fassi (67) and Matilda Castren ( 67). and Emily Pedersen (67).
In search of her first LPGA Tour win, 24-year-old Grant won the Jabra Ladies Open in France in May, securing her fifth Ladies European Tour title in two seasons.
Grant opened on par on Saturday and birdied the next four. After a 3 hour and 48 minute rain delay, she resumed play in 8th place and added a yardage in 9th place for a front nine-29. She caught up from 148 yards Eagle on the par 4 11 and Birdies #12 and #13.
“Eleven was incredible,” Grant said. “I made a really good drive and a really good second shot, it just took one jump and went in. I think it’s probably my first hole out eagle. Just really cool.”
Having to play the last five games in 3 unders to record a 59, the former Arizona State player saved the next two, bogeying on the par 16th 4, birdie on the par 17th 5 course and parried the 18th par 5 course.
“After 13, I probably just felt like maybe it was going a little too fast,” Grant said. “I was just getting nervous and felt like I had no control over the situation at all. So I just held back a bit. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but I felt like it was what I had to do. I’m just glad I got the situation under control.”
Corpuz won the US Women’s Open in Pebble Beach a week ago, claiming her first Tour title. She played in the final group alongside Grant and second-round leader Annie Park.
“Linn absolutely nailed it today,” said Corpuz. “I hope for the best for them tomorrow. I mean nobody will be able to catch her if she plays like she does today.”
Park had a 71 and landed at 11 under with Minjee Lee (67) in seventh place.
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